This is the old rendering of the proposed building for the salvatore site. (sorry about the image guys!). This building has 19 floors. The ground floor is the shopping area, the 2nd 3rd and 4th floor are for parking and the upper 16 floors are for office use. With the demolition of the Voyager Mall a proposed signature building is slated for this site. The smaller two story buildings to the front one of which is a KFC, is where the broadgate building is to be built.

The proposed Salvatori building was originally earmarked for a 19th story structure,
comprising of retail shops on the ground floor and car park occupying
the first three floors to accommodate 225 vehicles. The other 16 floors for
office use. The total area of this structure would have been 400,000 sq ft.
Now this is all good except for the parking. This is the heart of the city
with heavy pedestrian traffic, there is no need to drop a parking lot at this
location. Having vehicles stack at this location will affect the quality of
life for pedestrians and residence, as well as create a security problem and
traffic nightmares.

MY VISION

I would like to see a 32 story mix use hotel and office complex, with the
ground floor, 1ST , 2ND and 3RD floor reserve for shopping , restaurants
and recreation. Floors 4 to 30, hotel and office use and floors 31
and 32 allocated for a five star restaurant and observation deck with a 360
degree view of the city. I decided on 32 floors because I believe this is a
good ceiling for a city the size of Port of Spain. With observatory and
late night restaurant at hand, this will improve the night life in the city
center.

I would like to see a 32 story mix use hotel and office complex, with the
ground floor, 1ST , 2ND and 3RD floor reserve for shopping , restaurants
and recreation. Floors 4 to 30, hotel and office use and floors 31
and 32 allocated for a five star restaurant and observation deck with a 360
degree view of the city. I decided on 32 floors because I believe this is a
good ceiling for a city the size of Port of Spain. With observatory and
late night restaurant at hand, this will improve the night life in the city
center.

Like the idea!
CALYPSOTnT, has there been any discussions lately in the media or so, regarding Salvatori? I know that it is still a part of UDECOTT's masterplan.

Thanks for the feedback Southman. I have no further information on this developement. Last I heard is that they wanted to make this into a permanent peoples mall for the street venders. I know everyone have to live but hmm... one word -horrendous.

17-storey commercial tower proposed for the City of Port of Spain. The location is the former lot where the old Salvatori Building stood located at the corner of Independence Square and Frederick Street.

The Salvatori building, located at the corner of Independence Square and Frederick Street, Port of Spain was erected in 1961 by Williams and Williams, Architect and Builders. It was owned by Salvatori, Scott and Company, a company founded by Joseph Henry Salvatori. At the time of its construction, it was the tallest building in the city.

Mr. Salvatori was born in 1880 in France and was educated at the College Aix En Provence, near Marseilles. He came to Trinidad in 1910 to liquidate some of his uncle's property interests and remained to work in the cocoa business. In 1913 Mr. Salvatori acquired a dry goods concern, Wilson Sons & Co. He entered into partnership with Mr. C.W Scott formerly of Wilson Sons & Co under the name "Salvatori, Scott and Company". On the death of Mr. Scott in 1919 Mr. Salvatori assumed full responsibility for the company. He formed a limited liability company of which he was the Governing Director.

Salvatori building housed a general store which occupied three storeys. The store consisted of fifteen (15) distinct departments which specialised in dry goods of all lines including dresses, hats, cosmetics, jewellery, crockery household goods, furniture, stationery, children's and babies' outfits and general hardware. Employing over two hundred and fifty (250) persons, Salvatori Scott and Co. Ltd.'s general store gained the reputation of being the largest and most extensive concern in Trinidad and the British West Indies. The store ceased operations in the early 1970s.

The building was then used to house several Government Ministries and Agencies including:

Ministry of Petroleum and Mines
Management Development Centre
Elections and Boundaries Commission
General Post Office

These remained until the 1990's when the building was advertised for sale. It was eventually purchased by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. In April 2006 demolition of the building commenced. The present site is earmarked for a new development which may include a plaza and parking facilities.

The government of Trinidad and Tobago plans to build a high rise "Energy Tower" on the site of the demolished Salvatori Building currently being used as a temporary vending site.

Housing Minister Roodal Moonilal made the announcement during a site visit on Friday in the presence of Port of Spain Mayor Louis Lee Sing and the Managing Director of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), Jearlean John.

"We are looking to vision it as an energy tower because as you know this country is rooted in the energy sector. But in Port of Spain, there is no definitive building that houses the energy corporations and so on," Moonilal said.

"That will be located close to the Financial Complex, to the Treasury, to those sort of buildings. If you notice, they are scattered all over Port of Spain in rental facilities. So we are looking at that," he added. The minister said he expects to have definite plans for the site by July.

Lee Sing told reporters he expects the structure would provide residential and commercial spaces to aid the city's development.

Moonilal agreed to let vendors use the site for a while longer. However he was clear that the use will only be temporary.